How to learn to kayak

So you’ve heard about kayaking; would love to try it but don’t know how to begin, where to go or what to do.

That was me about twenty years ago. I loved to canoe, wanted to try kayaking, but didn’t know how to start.

So if you don’t own a kayak and don’t know anyone that kayaks then how do you start?

I was lucky, the local sporting outfitter in my town was having a kayak demo day on a lake by my home. They gave me a quick paddling lesson, supplied the pfd, and told me to get in a kayak and go paddle around.

That was it. I was hooked! This was the beginning of kayaking for me. I was lucky that an opportunity came around.

But before you run out and buy a kayak, you should try to paddle different types of kayaks to find the one that best fits your style and the type of paddling you want to do.

Now that sounds like a great idea, but if you don’t know anyone who has a kayak, how do you try different types of kayaks?

Here are a few suggestions:

• Check with your local kayak or outdoor outfitters to see if they have a kayak demo day. Ask if they offer kayak lessons.
• Check with your State Parks, to see if they have guided kayak tours or kayak rentals. You may find places to kayak.
• Check with kayak clubs in your area.
• Attend a kayak race or kayaking event.

Sometimes races or events have outfitter sponsors that can answer questions, give information, or have demo kayaks. By attending a race or event you would have an opportunity to see different types of kayaks and speak with other kayakers. Many races and events look for volunteers to help out.

Search our races & events page for the events near you. You can search by U.S. State or by month.

You don’t need a racing kayak to enter a race. Many kayak races have different categories for different size and types of kayaks. There are kayak races for whitewater and flatwater.

• Check with kayak rental companies. Many rental companies are near rivers and lakes.  Many will take you to the water, pick you up, and bring you back. Some may have guides.
• Take a kayaking trip (kayak tour) from a travel touring company. There are many different types of kayaking tours and kayaking trips you can go on.

Here are some of the many different types of kayaks available.

Recreational kayaks
Sit on Top
Inflatable kayaks
Tandem (2 person kayak)
Whitewater Kayaks
Fishing kayaks
Sea Touring kayaks
Touring kayaks
Kayaks for kids

For more information on kayaking, check out our Paddling How section or click on the links below:

How to choose a kayak

How to choose a kayak paddle

Choosing a roof rack

First Aid Kits for paddlers

Storing a Kayak

Kayak Safety

Looking for more information on beginner kayaking click here to find kayaking books and dvds.

How to choose good kayaking locations.

First you will need to ask yourself a few questions:

What is your kayaking experience?

What type of water do you enjoy kayaking on? Whitewater or flat water?

Do you like calm water like a lake or pond or do you like water with a little movement like a river with class I or II rapids?

In most cases you don’t have to drive very far to reach a good kayaking location. You may not realize it, but you may have more good kayaking locations near your home than you think; you just haven’t discovered them yet.

When searching for a good kayaking location you may want to look for paddling trails called Blueways.  Blueways are becoming more and more popular and you can find them in many states all over the U.S.

What to kayak on:

Lakes or Ponds

Kayaking on a lake or pond is a little easier than kayaking on a river or stream. Generally when you kayak on a lake or a pond your put in and take out point will be the same. You will park your car in the parking lot, put your kayak in at the boat access and paddle around enjoying the wildlife and scenery.  When you’re done you take your kayak out at the same access point. This is also a great place to teach a new paddler how to kayak.

With a lake or pond you can gauge your paddle time a little more accurately. If you have an hour to kayak you can paddle around and then start heading back to the boat access when you have to leave.

Rivers or Creeks

Rivers and creeks are a little more challenging to kayak on. Generally where you put in your kayak would not be where you take out.  You will also need to have two cars, one at the put in and one at the take out. Water levels can change with rainfall making the river faster or slower. If the river is too low you may have to get out and pull your kayak through the shallow areas.

Where to kayak:

State Parks

One place to look for a good kayaking location is State Parks or National Parks.  Many parks allow kayaking on their lakes, ponds, and rivers. Some have Blueways.

State and National Parks may:

Offer guided paddles

Charge a boat or car fee

Offer kayak rentals

Not allow private boats

Have boat access ramps

County

Another place to look for a good kayaking location is your county or town in which you live. Do you have a lake or river winding through your town? You can call or check your county or town’s website to see if they have boat access ramps and parking for your car.

You may also like to search our places to paddle page to find good kayaking locations all over the United States.